Today was our second day of ministry in Los Pinos. Each team has chosen a different activity for a few homes. Our team has chosen to do foot washing. There was another option to do communion. That is what I wanted to do, because I love participating in it, but also because it was something I was more comfortable with. But we will be doing the foot washing. I am not a foot person. I really don't like feet, especially of strangers. I have to really love someone to be willing to touch their feet. So, that is to say I am quite nervous about today's ministry. Before we left, we prayed over our team and our foot washing. I prayed that I would be able to get through this, and be able to do it with grace.
The first house we went to was at the very top of the hill, and quite a hike. I did not have a role in the first washing. This was actually a good thing, because I was able to see how my team members were doing it. I guess a small part of my fear was that I have never washed someone's feet before. This first house helped me to prepare to serve in the next house. We went to a house that was the mother of one of the boys we were working with at Zion's Gate Ministries. Before I started I prayed "God help me get through this!"
One of the girls on my team read a passage from John that talks about foot washing. I poured in the water and soap and gently placed her feet in the bucket. As I took the washcloth and started to clean this woman's feet I felt a great sense of peace. It wasn't bad at all. This woman was pregnant with a baby girl. I know that feet get very swollen and sore during pregnancy (from friends and family telling me), so it was great to able to wash and massage her feet. It was actually a pretty cool experience. And it was a wonderful way to minister to her. As I washed her feet I prayed for her and the beautiful child that will soon be coming. When we were done, my team went in and prayed for her, the family and the new life of this baby girl. She told us that sometimes she felt like a bad mother. But we were able to tell her how much her son loves her and talks about her. Also, that this new precious little girl is going to be so well cared for by her, and her brother. It was truly lead by God for us to be able to be with this beautiful woman in this moment. And God turned something that I did not want to do, into something so filled with His Grace, Peace and Love!
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
John 13:14
